School choice. The Black Alliance for Educational Options draws 650 attendees from 20 states to Orlando for its annual symposium. Check out #SY2013 on Twitter for what’s happening. Legendary school choice activist Howard Fuller says attendees shouldn’t be knee-jerk about the participation of for-profit companies. Also check out this redefinED podcast with BAEO President Ken Campbell.
Charter schools. Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, tells SchoolZone Florida needs additional charter school authorizers and that the current system favors charter management companies over mom-and-pop charter schools. The House Appropriations Committee approves a charter schools bill that would tighten accountability and require school districts to share empty classroom space with charter schools, reports The Buzz.
Sequestration. Will take a bite out of already dwindling construction funds. The Florida Current. Gradebook.
Superintendents. The Hernando school board picks Lori Romano, the director of adult, community, secondary and virtual education programs for Martin County Public Schools. Gradebook.
Principals. More than 200 students and parents protest the apparent ouster of a high school principal in Broward. South Florida Sun Sentinel.
FAMU. Gov. Rick Scott appoints Glen Gilzean, vice president for outreach and advocacy for Step Up For Students (which co-hosts this blog), to the FAMU Board of Trustees, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
Teachers unions. Lake County elects a new union president. SchoolZone.
Testing. StateImpact Florida writes up the bill that would require districts to post their standardized testing schedules.
School security. The Panama City News Herald writes up the teachers-and-guns bill. Reasonable additional safety measures are worth the cost, editorializes the Pensacola News Journal.
School spending. Polk district officials go on the road to explain potential budget cuts, including dropping a class period in middle and high schools. Lakeland Ledger.
Out with the old. Lawmakers aim to cull two dozen relatively minor education laws that didn’t pan out. Tampa Bay Times.
